Top Story

• ONC releases module for stage 2 MU
  The ONC has introduced an education module meant to help address inquiries about the objectives, requirements and certification measures of the stage 2/2014 meaningful use program. BeckersOrthopedicAndSpine.com (2/22)     

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Technology Trends

• Provider informs patients of possible data breach
  Heyman HospiceCare in Georgia has informed almost 2,000 patients about a possible breach of security involving personal information stored on an unencrypted company laptop that was stolen from the car of an employee last month. Compromised data included patient names, Social Security numbers and birth dates. Healthcare IT News (2/22)     

• HIT alliance establishes new workgroup
  A new Cybersecurity Working Group has been formed by the Health Information Trust Alliance to support a recent presidential executive order that focuses on reducing online data security dangers. The Cybersecurity Working Group is responsible for bringing business and technological approaches and policy in line through new standards, procedures and methodologies that will help prevent cybersecurity problems. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/21)     

• 25 states to evaluate Medicaid savings, quality models
  HHS said Thursday it will fund programs in 25 states that evaluate new approaches to curbing medical costs and improving health care quality in Medicaid. Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon and Vermont were the first states to receive State Innovation Model support. Healthcare IT News (2/21), Reuters (2/21)     

EHRs and MU

• Calif. firm launches free EHR software
  California-based Kareo has released a free EHR tool that is accessible via an iPad application or a Web browser. Doctors can use the app to view EHRs containing medications, allergy notes and problem lists, and they can use the software to keep track of interactions with patients and make notes. Health Tech Zone (2/22)     

mHealth

• App backs verbal orders for tests, scans
  Intermountain Healthcare and M*Modal have created a computerized physician order entry application that uses speech recognition software to allow doctors to dictate orders and send them to an EMR system. The app, created for Apple devices, is capable of supporting verbal orders for nursing procedures, laboratory tests and imaging scans. Health Data Management (2/22)     

• Tool offers wireless connectivity to patients, caregivers
  A new personal health platform called the Libris system is being launched by Numera and AT&T to integrate home telehealth tools with a personal emergency response system. The system allows users to upload data to care providers through multiple devices. Health Tech Zone (2/22)     

Health IT Poll

• Are you attending HIMSS13 in March?
  

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Advancing Care With IT

• 3 Pa. health groups come together to launch ACO program
  An accountable care initiative has been launched by Independence Blue Cross, Abington Health and Lumeris in the Philadelphia area. The organizations have collaborated to boost doctor and patient satisfaction as well as reduce total care costs. BeckersHospitalReview.com (2/22)     

HIE

• UHIN taps SES for HIE project
  A partnership has been formed between Secure Exchange Solutions and the Utah Health Information Network to offer a secure clinical data sharing service to providers in Utah. SES supplied the software foundation for UHIN's e-mail system, called cHIE Direct, that allows doctors to securely transmit and receive health records for various purposes, such as hospital discharges and consultations. Healthcare Informatics online (2/22)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by Health IT SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Rapid ACO growth could change the face of health care (Health Affairs Blog)

• ECRI lists top 10 technology concerns for the year (DOTMed.com)

• Legislators to question VA, Defense on integrated EHR project (NextGov)

• More than half of U.S. patients live in ACO areas (BeckersHospitalReview.com)

• Mass. unveils statewide ICD-10 program (EHR Intelligence)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

WEDI News

• WEDI HIX Virtual Event: An Overview of Health Insurance Exchange and What It Means to Your Business
  Join us for a day of online virtual education and networking with peers and experts in HIX at the free WEDI HIX Virtual Event: An Overview of Health Insurance Exchange and What It Means to Your Business on Friday, March 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Presentation topics include:
  • HIX 101
  • State Approaches
  • NPRM/Final Rules
  • Eligibility and Enrollment - Medicaid
  • Eligibility and Enrollment - GHP
  • Medicare Advantage: Lessons Learned
  • 834 and 820 Transactions
  • Financial Reporting
  • Technical Assistance for Carriers
  Add this free event to your calendar and sign up today! Registration is open!     

SmartQuote

It is wonderful how much news there is when people write every other day; if they wait for a month, there is nothing that seems worth telling." --Anna Masterton Buchan, Scottish writer